SA becomes piracy haven

2003-03-07 10:10

Lizel Steenkamp

Johannesburg - US film companies have placed SA on a danger list and identified the country as a major pirating location with pirated copies to the value of $30 million (about R240 million) being sold on the blackmarket.

The International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA), an organisation that protects US copyright globally, has cautioned producers against South Africa since levels of pirated films had risen quicker than in any other country.

Pirated DVDs totalling $30 million were smuggled and sold in the country - and film titles were being sold ahead of their commercial release.

The total is double the figure for 2001 when an estimated $12 million (R96 million) worth of pirated videos were sold.

South African Federation of copyright theft managing director Fred Potgieter said on Thursday syndicates smuggle up to 70 000 pirated DVDs into the country monthly.

Most come from Malaysia and are distributed countrywide and sold cheaply. A DVD normally sells for R260 but you could pick it up for R60 at blackmarket prices.

Potgieter says the sound and image of pirated copies are inferior to the original product and no age restrictions are indicated.

Pirated copies of Playstation games are equally popular. As many as 40 000 games are smuggled into the country from Singapore monthly and manufacturer Sony lost $22 million last year.

Safact has identified four local syndicates. The busiest syndicate is run by a handful of people in Edenvale, to the east of Johannesburg.

"South Africa's latest status as a pirate country could damage foreign investments since companies do not want to establish their products in a country where copyright is not protected," Potgieter said.

He says the country is losing out on import taxes and in the long run registered dealers and distributors could be harmed.

"Losses cannot be carried indefinitely and unemployment will only worsen as a result."

- Beeld